Yesterday (4/11/13), Mark Neiweem (“Migs”) accepted a non-cooperating plea deal in Cook County Court to felony charges brought on by interactions with undercover Chicago police officers who had infiltrated activist groups prior to last May’s NATO protests. Migs pleaded guilty to a probation violation charge from a previous felony conviction and to solicitation and attempted possession of an explosive or incendiary device.

Having spent more than 300 continuous days in the appalling conditions of Cook County Jail while awaiting trial, Migs will now serve out the remainder of a 3-year sentence in a state prison. He is expected to receive credit for time served and other reductions in the duration of his incarceration for good behavior.

Migs and the other defendants in the NATO 5 were all targeted by the same undercover Chicago cops, knows as “Mo” and “Gloves,” because of their perceived politics and associations. Last November, Sebastian Senakiewicz (“Sabi”) took a non-cooperating plea deal to a charge of falsely making a terrorist threat and is currently serving his 4-month boot camp sentence, after which he is expected to be deported to his native Poland. The NATO 3—Brent Betterly, Brian Jacob Church, Jared Chase—are all facing conspiracy and terrorism charges. Their recent constitutionality challenge to the terrorism charges was denied by the judge, although they may have the opportunity to raise this challenge again at trial. Their trial is currently scheduled for mid-September of this year.

Legal support funds for all the prisoners are still urgently needed. In addition to commissary funds, the NATO 3’s trial expenses are estimated to cost at least $20,000. Supporters around the world can host events and actions for the International Week of Solidarity with the NATO 5 from May 16-21 (https://nato5support.wordpress.com/international-week-of-solidarity-with&#8230;). Contact info for the defendants is also available on the support website.